Dozens of people spoke out against the city’s plans, but the proposals got crucial approvals from council Tuesday.

Dozens of people spoke out against the city’s $78 million plan to build a greenway channel and convert part of the Park Hill Golf Club to stormwater controls in north Denver, but the proposals got crucial approvals after several hours of discussion by the Denver City Council on Tuesday.

The cut is a crucial part of a flood-control system that will keep water from flooding north toward the National Western, I-70 and other low-lying areas.

A rendering of the 39th Avenue Greenway. (City of Denver)

The city of Denver is almost ready to build the 39th Avenue Greenway. City staff describe the project as a mile-long park that also will control flooding, while some local activists have long questioned the idea.

The project will create an “open channel” — basically a low, grassy area that will wind along from Steele Street west to Franklin Street, near where 39th Avenue would be.

The park is being reconfigured as part of a major drainage project in northeast Denver.

Globeville Landing stands between a whole lot of water and the South Platte River. The park is the “outfall” where stormwater draining from northern Denver heads into the river — and that means that it’s due for a major rebuilding.